Automatic container fillers for dental units and the like



17, 1957 w. 1.. ESPENSCHIED ETAL 3,347,325

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLERS' FOR DENTAL UNITS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 8, 1965 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS 2o WiLbwrL. Evens-dual W 2 BY wrul Glenn/E. WehL ATTORNEYS 1967 w. L. ESPENSCHIED ETAL 3,347,325

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLERS FOR DENTAL UNITS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 8, 1,965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SELECTOR SWITCH 36 g pc-no 4| DIODE swnc F wmomnw r fi/l3 1 EFF RESISTOR 44* r I L 45 A J MANUAL .2; TIMING 46-- CAPACITOR] TRIMMING n SOLENOID RESISTOR COIL SELECTOR SWITCH 36 SNAP-ACT|ON 4| IAUTOMATIC DIODE SWITCH 3 l r- I 4 f I 8 44 1 I 43 RESISTOR A L MANUAL 35 42 r-"--- TIMING 39 CAPACITOR l I I TRIMMING 47 RESISTOR 38 RELAY SELECTOR SWITCH DIODE SNAP-ACHON I IAUTOMATIC SWITCH 4| l3 :QFF 43 RESISTOR 7 1 LV I I JMANUAL 37 45 5 c 3 42 r''"'' TlMlNG 1'" 1 39 CAPACITOR 46 I; A nsv I 48 I T\ I I 40 I4** l TRIMMING 38 gig: 5o E 0 |I RESISTOR [6 RELAY I INVENTORS: F 6 WDZblLFL.ES}70IZSO]l/L8d and, GLezmE. WehL 94mg. W RM ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,347,325 Patented Oct. 17, 19%? 3,347,325 AUTOMATIC CQNTAHNER FILLERS FOR DENTAL UNITS AND THE LKKE Wilbur L. Espenschied, Canton, and Glenn E. Wehl, North Canton, Ulric, assignors to The Weber Dental Manufacturing Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Uhio Filed Oct. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 494,166 4 Claims. (Cl. Jl77117) Our invention relates to automatic container fillers for dental units and the like, and more specific-ally, to automatic container fillers which are automatically actuated through the placing of a container thereon, and are arranged for automatically filling the container with water to a general predetermined level. Even more specifically, our invention relates to automatic container fillers of the foregoing general type having improvements making possible a major simplification in the construction and operation thereof.

Certain prior constructions of automatic container fillers are arranged for determining both the initiation thereof for filling the containers and the level of water received .in the containers by the respective weights of the containers in the various unfilled and filled conditions. For instance, an empty container, usually with a holder, may be placed on a container platform with the weight thereof causing the container platform to move downwardly and actuate an electrical switch, resulting in the initiation of the water flow into the container. Furthermore, when the water in the container has reached an approximate level, the combined weight of the container, container holdef and Water is a predetermined amount and has forced the container platform downwardly a greater distance to actuate a second switch for stopping the flow of water into the container.

Still further, certain of these prior constructions have included some form of relay means or other device "for the purpose of preventing the initiation of water flow caused by the water-filled container being removed from the container platform and the container platform moving upwardly to original position, In the case of the form of filler described above, as the container platform begins movement upwardly, the second switch is immediately released and the first switch remains engaged until the container platform has approached its stationary upward position. During this upward travel of the container platform, unless a relay or some other device is operably connected in the circuit for preventing the re-initiation of water flow during the period of time between the second switch being released and the later release of the first switch, an objectionable spurt of water will be provided against the empty container platform.

Thus, in order to provide automatic container filler constructions of these prior forms which are completely satisfactory, it is necessary to make use of a series of electrical components which must be very closely regulated as to proper locations and settings. Furthermore, with these prior constructions it is necessary to provide frequent servicing by highly trained personnel in order that the various settings and spacings will remain proper and the constructions will continue to operate satisfactorily.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide an automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like which eliminates the major prob lems with the prior constructions as discussed above.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like which is greatly simplified over the prior constructions, yet accomplishes the operation of properly filling the containers with water in a satisfactory manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like which does not make use of the comparative Weights between an unfilled and filled container for con trolling the water flow, but rather makes use of timing based on the rate of water flow, thereby making the regulation thereof much more greatly simplified.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like which makes use of certain modern electronic components having the ability to remain in proper pre-selected regulation over a long period of useful life.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like which satisfies all of the above objects in a simplified manner and at a minimum of expense.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principlesis set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like comprising the present invention makes use of an electrical circuit including a capacitor arranged such that when the container platform of the container filler is empty, the capacitor is being charged and maintained charged from a usual source of electricity. When a container is placed on the container platform, however, downward movement of the container platform from the added weight causes the circuit between the source of electricity and capacitor to be interrupted, and at the same time, establishes a discharge circuit from the capacitor through an electrically energized device, such as a relay, for energizing the relay to close a circuit from a source of electricity through a water solenoid valve. Thus, the length of time that the relay will be energized, and therefore the water valve opened to permit the flow of water into the container, will be closely timed based on the time required for complete discharge of the capacitor as is determined by the particular characteristics of the capacitor. When the time discharge of the capacitor has been completed, the relay will no longer be energized, so that the water valve will close and stop the flow of water into the container, with the construction remaining in this condition until the water-filled container is removed from the container platform. At this time, the recharging of the capacitor will once again take place, placing the construction in condition for commencing the filling of the next container by the placing of the container thereon.

By way of example, an embodiment of the improved container filler construction of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, part in elevation, showing the container filler construction of the present invention with the container platform empty and in upper first position.

FIG. 2, a view similar to FIG. 1, but with a container and container holder on the container platform and the container platform moved downwardly to second lower position.

FIG. 3, a fragmentary sectional view, part in elevation, looked in the direction of the arrows 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, a somewhat schematic wiring diagram of the automatic container filler construction of the present in- 25 vention with the circuit in condition charging the capacitor as a result of the container platform being in the upper first position as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5, the wiring diagram of FIG. 4, but with the circuit in condition discharging the capacitor, resultin from the container platform being moved from the upper first position of FIG. 1 into the loWer second position of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6, the circuit of FIG. 5, but with the time discharge of the capacitor completed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the automatic container filler construction of the present invention includes a dental unit frame, generally indicated at 10, a container platform, generally indicated at 11, a platform supporting arm, generally indicated at 12, electric switch means, generally indicated at 13, an electrical relay, generally indi cated at 14, a water supply line, generally indicated at 15, and an electrically actuated water valve, generally indicated at 16. All of the foregoing components are generally of usual construction and the preferred forms thereof, as they relate to the present invention, will be hereinafter described.

As shown, the container platform 11 is formed with the usual generally horizontal supporting surface 17 having the usual drain openings 18 communicating downwardly into a drain sump 19 which is emptied by the drain line 20. Furthermore, the container platform 11 is secured to one end of the platform supporting arm 12 through a plate 21 and hub 22.

The hub 22 is provided centrally thereof with the threadably connected adjustment screw 23, which adjustment screw is downwardly received into the upper end of a coiled compression spring 24. The lower end of the compression spring 24 is received over a locating projection 25 formed on the bottom Wall 26 of drain sump 19.

The platform supporting arm 12 is pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to the dental unit frame through a pivot pin 27, and the end of this supporting arm adjacent the container platform 11 is formed with the stop shoulder 28 aligned for upward engagement with the abutment surface 29 of the frame 10. Thus, the container platform 11 is pivotally mounted on the frame 10 through the supporting arm 12 for limited downward and upward movement relative to the frame, and is resiliently urged upwardly into an upper first position by the compression spring 24, which upper first position is determined by the stop shoulder 28 on supporting arm 12 engaging the abutment surface 29 on frame 10, with such position being shown in FIG. 1.

The end of the supporting arm 12 opposite from the platform 11, and at the opposite side of the pivot pin 27, is formed with an end plate 30, with this end plate threadably receiving the adjustable switch actuating member 31. Switch actuating member 31, in turn, abuts the actuating plunger 32 of the switch means 13 and the switch means is preferably a usual snap-action switch movable between first and second positions, normally resiliently urged to the first position, and completing alternate electrical circuits therethrough, one in each of the first and second positions.

Thus, in the particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated, both the switch means 13 and the previously described compression spring 24 beneath the container platform 11 urge the platform to upper first position, also as previously described and shown in FIG. 1, and when the platform is in this upper first position, the actuating plunger 32 of switch means 13 is extended so as to place the switch means in first position, completing a particular electrical circuit therethrough to be hereinafter described. Furthermore, the switch actuating member 31 of the supporting arm 12 is threadably adjusted relative to the switch means actuating plunger 32, and the pivotal movement of supporting arm 12 is precalculated, such that when an empty container 33, preferably including a container holder 34, is placed on the platform 11, the

platform will move downwardly to a lower second position as shown in FIG. 2. As a result of this downward movement of platform 11, the supporting arm 12 through the switch actuating member 31 depresses the switch means actuating plunger 32 and places the switch means 13 in a second position in which the first electrical circuit is interrupted, and a second or alternate electrical circuit is established or completed therethrough.

Still further, the platform 11 remains in this lower second position and the switch means 13 remains in this second position during the filling of the container 33, as well as during the entire time that the filled container remains positioned on the platform 11 after such filling. When the filled container 33, of course including the container holder 34, is removed from the platform 11, the platform returns upwardly to upper first position as urged by the compression spring 24, as well as the switch means actuating plunger 32, and the switch means 13 moves from second position back to first position interrupting the alternate second position circuit and re-establishing the original first position circuit therethrough, all of which will be hereinafter more clearly described.

Obviously, depending on the particular components selected, if the outward resilient urging of the switch means actuating plunger 32 is of sufiicient magnitude, it is :possible to eliminate the compression spring 24, or the resilient urging of the switch means actuating plunger 32 may be eliminated, with this plunger secured to the switch actuating member 31 for movement in both directions with the supporting arm 12, in which case, the compressi n spring 24 may be depended upon by proper adjustment for the entire upward resilient urging of the platform 11 and supporting arm 12, as well as the force required to move the switch means 13. In the particular embodiment illustrated, however, the combined resilient urging of the switch means actuating plunger 32 and compression spring 24 are depended upon for accomplishing this movement, with the compression spring being appropriately adjusted through the adjustment screw 23.

Also, although in the particular embodiment illustrated, the entire container platform 11 is movable for moving the supporting arm 12, it is obvious that only a portion of this platform need be movable, with the remainder remaining stationary. The only thing that is required, is that the movable portion of platform 11 will be engaged by container 33 and will move the supporting arm 12.

The usual water supply line 15 is supported on the frame 10 and is formed for directing water into the container 33. The usual water valve 16 is provided in the water supply line 15, with the water valve preferably being normally biased to close position preventing the flow of water in the supply line, and being electric solenoid actuated to open position permitting the flow of water through the supply line and into the container 33.

Other electrical components, such as the relay 14, are mounted at appropriate locations on the frame 10, all

' of which will be hereinafter described and are schematically shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4.

Referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 4, the electrical circuit of the present invention preferably includes a main selector switch 35, a resistor 36, a usual half-wave rectifier in the form of the diode 37, the switch means 13, a capacitor 38, a variable trimming resistor 39, the relay 14, and the electric solenoid water valve 16, with the usual source of electricity being indicated at 40. In this particlular case, the source of electricity 40' may be that of usual volt alternating current.

The main selector switch 35 is selectively manually operable to an automatic position indicated by the contact 41, a manual position indicated by the contact 42, and an off position between the automatic and manual contacts 41 and 42 indicated at 43. As before stated, the diode 37 is of usual form for receiving the flow of alternating current electricity and serving to rectify this alternating current so as to provide direct current to the switch means 13.

Switch means 13, also as previously described, is preferably a usual snap-action switch having the first position indicated by the first position contact 44 and the second position indicated by the second position contact 45, and being normally resiliently urged to first position for completing an electrical circuit therethrouigh from the first position contact 44. The capacitor 33 is again of usual form arranged for receiving and storing a direct current electric charge of predetermined magnitude from the switch means 13 and dissipating this electric charge at a predetermined timed rate back through the switch means 13 and through the relay 14 when the switch means is moved to its second position, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The trimming resistor 39 is arranged in parallel circuit with the relay 14 and may be adjusted for regulating the flow of the electrical charge from the capacitor 38 through the relay 14.

The relay 14 is of usual form having a single set of contacts 46 normally biased to open position, interrupting the flow of electricity therethrough, and movable to closed position by the relay coil 47 when this coil is electrically energized by the electrical charge from the capacitor 38. The water valve 16, as previously described, controls the flow of water through the water supply line 15 to the container 33, being normally biased to closed position, and moved to open position when the solenoid coil 48 is electrically energized.

As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4, when the container platform 11 is in upper first position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein there is no container on this plat form, and with the main selector switch being set for automatic operation of the container filler construction, a first electrical circuit is established from the source of electricity through the automatic contact 41 of the main selector switch 35, through resistor 36, through diode 37, through the first position contact 44 of switch means 13, through capacitor 38, and back to the source of electricity 40. At this time, the capacitor 38 is electrically charged, the relay coil 47 is not energized, the relay contacts 46 are in open position, and the solenoid coil 4-8 is not energized, so that the water valve 16 is in closed position.

When the empty container 33 is placed on the platform 11 moving this platform to lower second position and, thereby, moving the switch means 13 to second position, a second electrical circuit is established as shown in FIG. 5, and the first electrical circuit, just described, is interrupted or broken by the movement of the switch means 13 to this second position. This second electrical circuit is established from the capacitor 38 through the second position contact of switch means 13, through the relay coil 47, and, if provided, at the same time through trimming resistor 39, and back to the capacitor 38, which begins the timed energization of the relay coil 47 as the result of the predetermined timed flow of the electrical charge from the capacitor 38.

As a result of the establishment of this second electrical circuit resulting in the electrical energization of the relay coil 47, the relay contacts 46 are moved from the open position of FIG. 4 to the closed position of FIG. 5, thereby establishing a third electrical circuit. This third electrical circuit is established from the source of electricity 40, through relay contacts 46, through solenoid coil 48 of water valve 16, and back to the source of electricity 40, thereby electrically energizing solenoid coil 48 and opening the water valve 16 to commence the flow of water from the water supply line 15 into the container 33.

This third electrical circuit remains established for a predetermined period of time as determined by the time required for dissipating the electrical charge of the capacitor 33, and this timing is predetermined by the proper selection of capacitor 38, as well as the proper adjustment of th trimming resistor 39, when provided, so that the flow of water from water supply line 15 into container 33 will fill this container to the desired level. At this time, upon the dissipation of the electrical charge in the capacitor 33, the relay coil 47 will cease being electrically energized, thereby opening the relay contacts 46 to interrupt the third electrical circuit and cease electrical energization of the solenoid coil 48, permitting water valve 16 to close and stop the flow of water and placing the various electric circuits in the condition shown in FIG. 6.

Note that at this time, despite the fact that the flow of water from water supply line 15 into container 33 has been stopped, the capacitor 38 cannot be recharged, since the now-filled container 33 remains on the container platform 11 and maintains the switch means 13 in second position so as not to make contact with the first position contact 44. Thus, the various electrical circuits remain in the condition shown in FIG. 6 until the filled container 33 is removed from the container platform 11.

This removal of container 33 from container platform 11 results in the platfirm moving back to upper first position, thereby moving the switch means 13 back to first position. This returns the various electrical circuits back to the condition shown in FIG. 4, and causes the capacitor 38 to be immediately electrically charged and ready for the automatic container filling operation to be repeated.

In the event it is desired to fill the container 33 manually without the benefit of the automatic operation, the main selector switch 35 may be moved to its manual position indicated by the manual contact 42, which will set up an electrical circuit from the source of electricity 40, through this manual contact, through the solenoid coil 48, and back to the source of electricity 40, so that water will flow from the water supply line 15 until the manual contact 42 of the selector switch 35 is disengaged. Also, the main selector switch 35 may be moved to the off position 43, thereby interrupting all electrical circuits.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Automatic container filler construction for dental units and the like of the type in which container platform means upon which a container may be positioned is mounted on a frame with at least a portion thereof engaged by the container movable between an upper first and lower second position; in which the container platform portion is mounted normally biased to upper first position in the absence of the container thereon; in which the container platform portion moves to lower second position as a result of the container being positioned supported on the container platform; in which a water line is positioned for directing water into the container when the container is positioned on the container platform; and in which the flow of water from the water line is controlled by a water valve in the water line normally biased to closed position and electrically actuated to open position; the improvements including, switch means movable between a first position and a second position establishing alternate electrical circuits therethrough in said positions, switch actuating means operably connected between the container platform portion and switch means for positioning the switch means in first position when the platform portion is in upper first position and positioning the switch means in second position when the platform portion is in lower second position, capacitor means, water valve control means having an electrically energized actuating portion and an electrical transmitting portion, the control means transmitting portion interrupting the flow of electricity therethrough when the control means actuating portion is free of electrical energization and transmitting electricity therethrough when the control means actuating portion is electrically energized, a source of electricity, first electrical circuit means established when the platform portion is in upper first position positioning the switch means in first position completing an electrical circuit from the source of electricity through the switch means and through the capacitor means and back to the source of electricity for building an electrical charge in the capacitor means, second electrical circuit means established when the platform portion is in lower second position positioning the switch means in second position completing an electrical circuit from the capacitor means through the switch means and through the control means actuating portion and back to the capacitor means for discharging the electrical charge in the capacitor means at a predetermined timed rate of discharge through the control means actuating portion to electrically energize said actuating portion and cause the control means transmitting portion to transmit electricity therethrough for a predetermined period of time, the first circuit means being interrupted by the positioning of the switch means in the second position and remaining interrupted as long as said switch means is in said second position, third electrical circuit means established when the control means transmitting portion transmits electricity therethrough completing an electrical cir cuit from the source of electricity through the control means transmitting portion and through the water valve and back to the source of electricity for actuating the water valve to open position during the predetermined period of time the control means actuating portion is energized by the discharge from the capacitor means, and the third electrical circuit means being interrupted by the control means transmitting portion when the control means actuating portion is no longer energized as the result of the timed discharge of the capacitor means being completed through the second electrical circuit means.

2. Automatic container filler construction as defined in claim 1 wherein the water valve control means is a relay, the control means actuating portion is a relay coil, and the control means transmitting portion is a set of electrical contacts.

3. Automatic container filler construction as defined in claim 1 wherein the source of electricity is a source of alternating current electricity; and wherein there is rectifier means in the electrical circuit of the first electrical circuit means between the source of electricity and the switch means.

4. Automatic container filler construction as defined in claim 1 wherein selectively adjustable resistor means is electrically connected in the electrical circuit of the second electrical circuit means for selectively regulating the timed discharge of the capacitor means and thereby the period of time the control means actuating portion is electrically energized.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,862 12/1898 Richards 177117 616,864 12/1898 Richards 177-117 2,763,457 9/1956 Gregory 177117 3,082,832 3/1963 Mitthauer et al. 177117 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. BELL, Examiner. 

1. AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLER CONSTRUCTION FOR DENTAL UNITS AND THE LIKE OF THE TYPE IN WHICH CONTAINER PLATFORM MEANS UPON WHICH CONTAINER MAY BE POSITIONED IS MOUNTED ON A FRAME WITH AT LEAST A PORTION THEREOF ENGAGED BY THE CONTAINER MOVABLE BETWEEN AN UPPER FIRST AND LOWER SECOND POSITION; IN WHICH THE CONTAINER PLATFORM PORTION IS MOUNTED NORMALLY BIASED TO UPPER FIRST POSITION IN THE ABSENCE OF THE CONTAINER THEREON; IN WHICH THE CONTAINER PLATFORM PORTION MOVES TO LOWER SECOND POSITION AS A RESULT OF THE CONTAINER BEING POSITIONED SUPPORTED ON THE CONTAINER PLATFORM; IN WHICH A WATER LINE IS POSITIONED FOR DIRECTING WATER INTO THE CONTAINER WHEN THE CONTAINER IS POSITIONED ON THE CONTAINER PLATFORM; AND IN WHICH THE FLOW OF WATER FROM THE WATER LINE IS CONTROLLED BY A WATER VALVE IN THE WATER LINE NORMALLY BIASED TO CLOSED POSITION AND ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED TO OPEN POSITION; THE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING, SWITCH MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION ESTABLISHING ALTERNATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS THERETHROUGH IN SAID PORTIONS, SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED BETWEEN THE CONTAINER PLATFORM PORTION AND SWITCH MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE SWITCH MEANS IN FIRST POSITION WHEN THE PLATFORM PORTION IS IN UPPER FIRST POSITION AND POSITIONING THE SWITCH MEANS IN SECOND POSITION WHEN THE PLATFORM PORTION IS IN LOWER SECOND POSITION, CAPACITOR MEANS, WATER VALVE CONTROL MEANS HAVING AN ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZED ACTUATING PORTION AND AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING PORTION, THE CONTROL MEANS TRANSMITTING PORTION INTERRUPTING THE FLOW OF ELECTRICALLY THERETHROUGH WHEN THE CONTROL MEANS ACTUATING PORTION IF FREE OF ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZATION AND TRANSMITTING ELECTRICITY THERETHROUGH WHEN THE CONTROL MEANS ACTUATING PORTION IS ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZED, A SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY, FIRST ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS ESTABLISHED WHEN THE PLATFORM PORTION IS IN UPPER FIRST POSITION POSITIONING THE SWITCH MEANS IN FIRST POSITION COMPLETING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FROM THE SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY THROUGH THE SWITCH MEANS AND THROUGH THE CAPACITOR 